First Impressions is a collection of whiz-bang reviews of singles, 7″s, and shorter EPs, which are given a review after a single listen. This is a great way for TGEFM to showcase some of the releases which wouldn’t get a full review on their own.
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Ricky Rochelle – “Exceptionally Loved”
Eccentric Pop Records, 12 November 2021
Ricky Rochelle (The Young Rochelles, The New Rochelles) has a pop gem on his hands with “Exceptionally Loved”, his latest single from the eventual So Far So Good. It follows a traditional pop punk template, with a quick pace, buzzing guitars, and melodic vocal hooks. And on “Exceptionally Loved”, he plays with some gorgeous chord progressions and some adorably sweet sentiments, too. Some might find it a bit too saccharine or unpunk, but I enjoy this sort of stuff when it’s done right. And Ricky Rochelle is doing it right.
Review by RYAN
The Path – “East Coast Funeral”
Self-released, 7 November 2021
“East Coast Funeral” is a manic take on The Frisk’s “East Coast Funeral”. The song is a hardcore ripper, and in The Path’s capable hands, it is completely feral. The drums pulverize and the guitar riff is heavy as can be. All the while, the vocals are rabid and unhinged, which is an interesting counter to the relatively controlled vocals on the original. And even with all the manic pace and destruction, there’s enough to hook you and keep the song memorable. Pretty good stuff.
Review by RYAN
Haley and the Crushers – “Click and Act Now!”
Kitten Robot Records, 2 November 2021
“Click and Act Now!” is more of an aggressive pop punk song from Haley and the Crushers, not quite as pop-centric as some of their more recent output. I really like the tone of the guitar and bass on this one, both coming off as a bit more chainsaw and a bit less of a clean surftone. Even with the angsty push, the song doesn’t forget to stay memorable, and the vocal hooks provided by Haley are lingering now that the song’s done. This one’s a fun and restless pop punk number.
Review by RYAN
The Gungans – “Ode To Naboo”
Laptop Punk Records, 3 November 2021
“Ode To Naboo” is a mid-tempo pop punk song that does what The Gungans (and various alter ego’s of Grim Deeds) do so well. A simple and super-engaging guitar riff that drills deep into my brain with melodic vocals singing sweetly silly words about Naboo (“swim with me, you will see, I can love you tenderly, in love with you, ode to Naboo”), the song is a fun winner that’s stuck in my head now, long after the song has finished. Enjoy.
Review by RYAN
Hot Water Music – “Killing Time”
Equal Vision Records, 10 November 2021
For starters, I’ve always been a so-so Hot Water Music fan. I have lots of friends who really like them, and I appreciate what they do, but the music usually strikes me as just okay, not something I typically seek out. “Killing Time” hits me pretty okay, too. There’s some good energy to the driving march of the song and the ragged vocals sound good to my ears. For what it’s worth, this is more memorable than what I was expecting and has me wondering if maybe they can start hitting me a bit harder going forward.
Review by RYAN
